The increase of α۷ and α۴ Subtypes of nAChRs in Placenta of diabetic mothers

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most prevalent and critical metabolic disorders during pregnancythat can have irreversible effects on the fetus. This study aims to assess changes in the α۷ and α۴ subtypes of the nicotinic acetylcholinereceptors (nAChRs) in the placenta of diabetic mothers.Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was conducted on women admitted to the cesarean section of the AllamehBohlool Gonabadi Hospital between January ۲۰۲۱ and April ۲۰۲۱. These women were divided into two groups: healthy pregnancy(n=۱۰) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM, n=۱۰). Placental samples were collected. Subsequently, the Immunohistochemistry(IHC) technique was employed to detect the α۷ and α۴ subtypes. Thereafter, the image quantification was done using ImageJ software.Additionally, SPSS۲۰ was employed to perform statistical analyses, and a significance level of P≤۰.۰۵ was considered statisticallysignificant.Results: The maternal and infant demographics data showed no significant differences between the two groups (P<۰.۰۵). However,the maternal fasting glucose level was significantly higher in the GDM group compared to the healthy group (P=۰.۰۰۲). Theexpression of α۷ and α۴ proteins differed significantly between two study groups. The optical density (OD) of the α۷ and α۴proteins was higher in the GDM group compared to the healthy group (P=۰.۰۰۱; for each).Conclusion: This study revealed that gestational diabetes can have a strong impact on the expressions of α۷ and α۴ subtypes ofnAChRs in the human placenta. This may reflect a compensatory protective physiological response, which may be responsible forfetal complications occurring during GDM.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gestational Diabetes ، Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ، α۷ Subtypes ، α۴ Subtypes ، Human Placenta